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The village was built up around the sandstone quarry which was in operation from as early as the 17th Century.[2] The Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal was built to the south of the village in 1822 and connects the village with the two main cities of Scotland. Later stone was carried by the canal to help build Edinburgh's new town in the 1830s and Falkirk's public buildings in the 1850s.[2] The local church was built between 1846-47 from stone quarried in the village and gifted by the quarry owner, Alexander Lawrie.[3] The old quarry was then named Lawrie Park in his honour, though newer residents to the village call it Quarry Park.[4]

Brightons is well catered for a village of its size. Main Street and Station Road include a pharmacy, a café, a Chinese takeaway, two grocers, a butcher, a florist, a hairdresser, a tanning shop, and an estate agent. Lawrie Park is a recreational area which has two football pitches, one of which is the home of Brightons F.C.. Brightons Parish Church is located next to the community hall on Main Street.